With the swearing in of four of the five newly-confirmed FTC commissioners, control of the FTC is now in the hands of Republicans.
Yesterday, Joseph Simons, a Republican, was sworn in as FTC Chairman. Today, Noah Phillips, a Republican, was sworn in along with Rebecca Slaughter and Rohit Chopra, both Democrats.
Republican Christine Wilson, the fifth newly-confirmed FTC commissioner, was appointed to fill the seat currently held by Maureen Ohlhausen, also a Republican. Ms. Ohlhausen is awaiting Senate confirmation of her nomination by President Trump to serve as a judge on the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Ms. Wilson will be sworn in when Ms. Ohlhausen leaves the FTC.
We will be closely watching future FTC developments to see the impact of the change to Republican control on the FTC’s regulatory and enforcement priorities and initiatives.